As I roved out from the County Cavan
Lyrics
As I roved out from the County Cavan for to view the green banks of sweet Lough Ree
I fell a-courting a some fair one, she appeared to me like the queen of May
I kindly asked her if she would marry or if she’d be a soldier’s wife
Oh no, kind sir, I would rather tarry, for I’ve always chosen a single life
My fairest creature with pride of nature, why do you differ from all female kind ?
And you’re a fair one, both tall and handsome, sure it’s to marry you should incline
Sure, it’s to marry I now shall tell you, I have promised this five years or more
To one O’Reilly from the County Cavan, which oft times grieves my poor heart full sore
It’s in the morning when I can’t see you, my heart keeps on bleeding through the whole day
And it’s in the evening when I can’t get near you, those who are love bound must obey
But if I had you in Phoenix Island, one thousand miles from my native shore
Or in some low valley where no one would hear us, I would entice you to be my own
But you won’t have me in Phoenix Island, one thousand miles from my native shore
But you can sail away into where you came from, for I’ll wait on Reilly forevermore
You’re like the love swan that swims the ocean, just making motion with both her wings
And your snow-white breast, it’ll be a potion to any lord or to any king
But youth and folly makes young men marry, and silly notions makes no delay
But what can’t be cured must be endured, so fare thee well, darling, I must now away
